Emirates Skywards Devaluation
#48
Ambassador, Emirates
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: LGW / AMS / CPT
Programs: SA KL BA EK
Posts: 4,412
OMAAT is not the most reliable source for basically anything EK related. Possibly for other airlines as well, but I have no experience with that so it would be unfair to make a blanket statement.
#49
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Dubai
Programs: EK Gold, FB Gold, SQ Silver, MB Titanium, ALL Gold
Posts: 338
I consider myself a loyal EK flyer. I've been 11 consecutive years a Gold member with Skywards. Mostly Economy, but increasingly buying J tickets as I'm getting older and more tired of flying (ok, ok the real reason is that I'm getting heavier too ). I remember the times Platinum didn't exist and gaining 10k miles in Y for a long haul was normal. I remember the OpUps being prioritised based on status rather than ticket price. Over the recent years, I've negotiated with myself - and convinced myself - many times to pay the premium for Emirates compared to other airlines. Living in Dubai that's not an easy thing to do.
But that changes in 2023... 50k miles for a Y flex upgrade to West-Europe is a 25% increase compared to 2022. For a ticket that costs 4000 AED (return) instead of 3500 (2020) or 2700 (2016). I've just booked 3 flights of 3700 AED in Premium Economy with Air France for my travel to Europe in Q1 2023. And I booked a flight to Mexico in Business Class for 16,000 AED (against 26,500 AED for EK). That makes me Gold with Flying Blue.
Sorry for the rant. I know Flying Blue isn't ideal and AF/KL have their own issues, but the attitude of EK is just getting at Mount Everest levels and even I cannot justify to myself to continue paying such fares for insignificant benefits. All airlines are in the business of making money, and people are clearly willing to spend huge amounts on airline tickets after COVID, but EK's changes are "too far too fast" in my opinion to keep me loyal.
But that changes in 2023... 50k miles for a Y flex upgrade to West-Europe is a 25% increase compared to 2022. For a ticket that costs 4000 AED (return) instead of 3500 (2020) or 2700 (2016). I've just booked 3 flights of 3700 AED in Premium Economy with Air France for my travel to Europe in Q1 2023. And I booked a flight to Mexico in Business Class for 16,000 AED (against 26,500 AED for EK). That makes me Gold with Flying Blue.
Sorry for the rant. I know Flying Blue isn't ideal and AF/KL have their own issues, but the attitude of EK is just getting at Mount Everest levels and even I cannot justify to myself to continue paying such fares for insignificant benefits. All airlines are in the business of making money, and people are clearly willing to spend huge amounts on airline tickets after COVID, but EK's changes are "too far too fast" in my opinion to keep me loyal.
#51
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: MAN DXB ✈️
Programs: Skywards Gold
Posts: 6,851
#52
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Exec Club, SIA KrisFlyer, Qantas FF, Emirates Skywards
Posts: 1,859
According to many bloggers, it seems like EK have sent them a press statement saying changes to awards will be made gradually over the next few weeks till 31 January 2023. I haven't seen the statement from EK on their site officially, and I'm by no means saying this is what is happening, but I see no reason to think that these claims aren't true.
In any case, personally, I will continue to do my own research and see what the actual miles/taxes are through a search on the EK site.
In any case, personally, I will continue to do my own research and see what the actual miles/taxes are through a search on the EK site.
#53
Ambassador, Emirates
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: LGW / AMS / CPT
Programs: SA KL BA EK
Posts: 4,412
According to many bloggers, it seems like EK have sent them a press statement saying changes to awards will be made gradually over the next few weeks till 31 January 2023. I haven't seen the statement from EK on their site officially, and I'm by no means saying this is what is happening, but I see no reason to think that these claims aren't true.
In any case, personally, I will continue to do my own research and see what the actual miles/taxes are through a search on the EK site.
In any case, personally, I will continue to do my own research and see what the actual miles/taxes are through a search on the EK site.
#54
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: N/A
Programs: N/A
Posts: 843
What he was reporting was while actual bookings were showing the current (lower) redemption amounts, when you went to the mileage calculator it was showing the increases.
I had checked it when he first wrote this and he was correct the calculator was showing higher, but now if you use the calculator it shows the current (lower) redemptions.
Cynically you have to think they accidently updated the calculator but were not ready to update the actual bookings, and that the change is coming and it is just a matter of when. It is possible it was just a mistake, but from what we saw on the EU - DXB bookings and the communication the bloggers received I doubt it.
#56
Ambassador, Emirates
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: LGW / AMS / CPT
Programs: SA KL BA EK
Posts: 4,412
It gets weirder and weirder and now I'm really confused! I just got offered (through MMB) an AMS/DXB J->F upgrade for the 'old' mileage rate! Double checked the calculator and it's true.
I was not planning to upgrade, it's not that attractive a sector to do so but now I am tempted..... Almost like I'm getting a signal to do it.
Edit: Taken it. Charged me the 'old' rate! 'Saved' 10K miles (not really as I was not going to spend them, but you get my drift.....)
I was not planning to upgrade, it's not that attractive a sector to do so but now I am tempted..... Almost like I'm getting a signal to do it.
Edit: Taken it. Charged me the 'old' rate! 'Saved' 10K miles (not really as I was not going to spend them, but you get my drift.....)
Last edited by thijsseh; Jan 5, 2023 at 1:45 am
#57
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: BAEC Gold, EK Skywards (enhanced Blue !), Oman Air Sindbad Gold
Posts: 6,457
.
I was not planning to upgrade, it's not that attractive a sector to do so but now I am tempted..... Almost like I'm getting a signal to do it.
Edit: Taken it. Charged me the 'old' rate! 'Saved' 10K miles (not really as I was not going to spend them, but you get my drift.....)
I was not planning to upgrade, it's not that attractive a sector to do so but now I am tempted..... Almost like I'm getting a signal to do it.
Edit: Taken it. Charged me the 'old' rate! 'Saved' 10K miles (not really as I was not going to spend them, but you get my drift.....)
Like you, I myself would have been conflicted to a degree, mainly because (as you say) its not the best of sectors for F .plus, J class would be wholly satisfactory of course, given were talking EK after all. And like you, I prob would have ended up being tempted by the perceived (ahem!) saving. Safe travels
#58
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: New York, NY
Programs: AA ExPl, BA Gold, DL Gold, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Lifetime Platinum, probably some others
Posts: 4,337
But that changes in 2023... 50k miles for a Y flex upgrade to West-Europe is a 25% increase compared to 2022. For a ticket that costs 4000 AED (return) instead of 3500 (2020) or 2700 (2016). I've just booked 3 flights of 3700 AED in Premium Economy with Air France for my travel to Europe in Q1 2023. And I booked a flight to Mexico in Business Class for 16,000 AED (against 26,500 AED for EK). That makes me Gold with Flying Blue.
#59
Ambassador: Emirates Airlines
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 18,894
Yeah - and 90k Saver. Matches the Miles Calculator (which was wrong for a while). So... no change at all for MXP-JFK.
#60
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: BAEC Gold, EK Skywards (enhanced Blue !), Oman Air Sindbad Gold
Posts: 6,457